Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – President Masoud Barzani met with the leader of the Gorran Movement, Nosherwan Mustafa in his office in Salahaddin today.

The meeting focused on the political and security developments in the country, and KRG preparations to confront any threats facing Kurdistan. Both sides welcomed the unity and the common position adopted by the Kurdish parties, and stressed that the new political and security situation in Iraq calls for a thorough and careful approach. 

Rome, Italy (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani arrived in Rome on Wednesday to meet with the Pope and Italian government officials.

During his two-day visit, the President held separate meetings with the Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini, President of the Italian Senate, Mr. Pietro Grasso, and with the chairman and members of the senate foreign relations committee.

The meetings focused on bilateral ties, the political developments in Iraq- particularly after the recent parliamentary elections, the Syrian refugees, and the situation of Christians in Iraq and in Kurdistan.
In the meeting with Foreign Minister Mogherini, she said she is pleased with the status of her country’s economic and political relations with the KRG and that her country will soon upgrade her country’s diplomatic representation to a full consulate general.

On the situation of refugees in Kurdistan, the foreign minister commended the KRG for taking in refugees not only from Syria, but also Arabs and Christians from other parts of Iraq. She expressed her country’s willingness to help the KRG in its efforts to support these refugees.

The two also discussed the political developments in Iraq and efforts to form a new government after the recent elections. In this regards, President Barzani said that the Kurdistan Region has formed a unified negotiation team for talks with other Iraqi parties. He stated that the people of Kurdistan cannot wait another ten years for their legitimate and constitutional demands to be addressed. If these demands are not addressed, then the KRG leadership would ask the people of Kurdistan through a referendum to decide on their future relationship with Baghdad.

Rome, Italy (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday.

At the outset of the meeting, Pope Francis said that he was aware of the situation of Kurds and of their tragedies in the past. He commended President Barzani and the people of Kurdistan for what they have achieved, particularly in offering the Kurdistan Region as a safe haven for Syrian refugees and for Christians fleeing violence in other parts of Iraq.

The Pope also praised President Barzani for KRG’s policy of promoting tolerance and peaceful co-existence among different religious communities. He expressed his hope that the KRG would continue to enjoy peace and prosperity.

For his part, President Barzani talked about tolerance in Kurdistan as a long-standing tradition that has popular support. He said that peoples of different religions have made sacrifices together in the past and now live side by side in peace and freedom.

On the situation of refugees and Christians who have sought refuge in Kurdistan, President Barzani said that the KRG would continue to provide assistance to them as a humanitarian duty.

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG), Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, in Salahaddin today.

The President and the UN official discussed political developments in the country, the parliamentary and provincial elections of April 30th, and prospects for government formation in Baghdad.

Mr. Mladenov congratulated the Kurdistan Region for the successful elections, including the high turnout in Kurdistan. He expressed his hope that the result of these elections will lead stability and positive change in Iraq.

On Kurdish participation in the new Iraqi government, President Barzani said that all sides should wait for the final results of the election by the Independent High Electoral Commission, reiterating that genuine partnership must be observed in the new government.

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the leadership of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Salahaddin today to discuss their participation in the new KRG government and the political situation in Iraq after the recent elections.

A statement issues after the meeting stated that, “It was emphasized that all Kurdistan political forces must have a unified position when it comes to dealing with other Iraqi political groups in the run-up to negotiations for government formation.

The statement added that President Barzani congratulated the PUK for their election successes in the recent vote. 

On the KRG government formation, President Barzani emphasized that the new government must be finalized as soon as possible and that it must be a collation government that includes all the political sides in Kurdistan.
The PUK delegation included Kurdistan Region Vice President Kosrat Ali and other senior members of the PUK politburo.a

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – President Masoud Barzani met with U.S. Deputy Assistant  Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran Brett McGurk today to discuss the political developments in Iraq after the recent parliamentary elections, and prospects for Kurdish participation in the new government in Baghdad.

The two also discussed the formation of the KRG government. Mr. McGurk said he was pleased that the new KRG government would soon in place. For his part, President Barzani said that although the new KRG government has taken a long time to form, but it will be a strong government and would include all sides.

On Kurdish participation in the new Iraqi government, the President stated that all Kurdish parties will soon agree on a common policy and will speak with one voice in the negotiations for the formation of the new government.

Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the leader of the Gorran Movement, Nosherwan Mustafa in his office in Salahaddin.

The meeting focused on KRG plans to form a negotiation team to represent Kurdistan in the talks on government formation in Baghdad. The two stressed the need for all Kurdish parties to adopt a common approach and have a unified position in dealing with other Iraqi sides. They also discussed a letter recently sent by the Iraqi Prime Minister to all Iraqi political sides which contains a proposal on the shape of the next government.

The President and the Gorran Movement leader also discussed the obstacles before the KRG government formation, both underlining the importance of finalizing the government as soon as possible.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani held a meeting today at his office in Salahadin with a number of senior officials of Kurdish political parties. The President started the meeting by warmly welcoming the attendees and emphasized on the importance of a united Kurdish stance vis-a-vis the formation of the next Iraqi government following the last parliamentary elections.

During the meeting the President stated that it is crucial for the Kurdistan alliance to remain united during the period of forming the next Iraqi government.

The attendees were senior members of the Kurdish political parties who collectively vowed to work together, as a single team in Baghdad and added that the dialogue should be further activated with other Iraqi political entities for the benefit of the people of the Kurdistan Region.

The meeting was concluded by the release of a statement which clearly demonstrates the willingness of the Kurdish political parties to stand united and to form a new Iraqi government with the conditions of actual national partnership and commitment to the constitution.